Pupusas, live music and good wine. With that mix, Carecen celebrates its 25th anniversary and also pays tribute to Archbishop Oscar Romero, the Salvadoran Archbishop who dedicated his life to defending the dignity of human beings, especially the most disadvantaged, and combating violence in their country.

March 24 marks the 31th anniversary of the Romero’s assassination, while celebrating Mass in San Salvador. And that very day, the UN declared March 24 as International Day for the Right to Truth, in honor of Monsignor Romero, announced Kira Vilanova, hostess of the event. Vilanova also told how, during his visit to El Salvador the week before, President Obama paid tribute to the Archbishop visiting his grave.

The event at the War Memorial and Performing Arts Center in San Francisco attended by local politicians, priests, members of Carecen and community leaders of the stature of the Jesuit Father Jon Sobrino, the vice president of Corporate Social Responsibility Group of Union Bank, Maria Gallo, and the executive director of Dolores Street Community Services, Eriq Quezada.

“Today we come not only to commemorate the death of Archbishop Romero, but to give hope to the example of his life and work for justice to Central Americans in the Bay Area,” said Elena Asturias, a member of the board of Carecen.

The Central American Resource Center (Carecen) is an organization that has been working on behalf of Central American immigrants in California and across the country since 1986.

One of the evening’s honorees, for their work and dedication in defending the rights of immigrants, was Eric Quezada, a community activist born in California but of Guatemalan parents.

In his speech, Quezada defended the importance of everyday actions in the social struggle and highlighted the dedication of Archbishop Romero in this field.

In addition, he confessed to be struggling every day against cancer being treated. “Everyday we must live with that spirit of wanting to move on,” he encouraged.

More education and employment

Maria Gallo, another honoree, has been awarded numerous times for her passionate devotion to the defense of Latinos and her efforts so that resources are invested in them, especially those of Union Bank, where she works. She is a member of the board of the Latino Community Foundation, and other organizations. “For California to prosper, it has to recognize 40% of the Latino population that lives here and give them better educational and employment opportunities,” Gallo claimed on the spot.

Carecen also recognized the Jesuit theologian Jon Sobrino, known for his contributions to liberation theology and the struggle for justice of the Salvadorans.

Sobrino traveled from El Salvador, where he currently resides, to praise his colleague, Monsignor Romero. “The defense of the victims in El Salvador was the devotion and profession of Romero,” said the priest. “He defended us poor always loving the truth, so they killed him for that. He was poor and was moved by the humanity and the glory of God,” said Sobrino.

“I lived with him, so I know this is not mere words but it is true,” he said. In conclusion, Sobrino encouraged all present to be led by the example of Archbishop Romero to continue fighting for the most disadvantaged in society, as “defending the victims and the poor, they give us life and free us from selfishness.”